Multiform printing press



L. P. HUG-HES.

MULTIF'ORM PRINTING PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 28,1919.

Patented Feb. 7, 1922.

' 6 SHEETS-SHEET 1- INVENTOR.

A T TORNEYI L. P. HUGHES.

MULTIFORM PRINTING PRESS.

APPLlCATlON FILED JULY 23,1919.

Patentd Feb. 7,

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2- I N VEN TOR.

A TTORNEY. I

L. P. HUGHES.

MULTIFORM PRINTING PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 28,1919.

Patentd Feb. 7, 1922.

6 SHEETSSHEET 3.

N VEN TORI A fl- A TTORNEY.

L. P. HUGHES.

MULTIFORM PRINTING PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 28,1919.

1,405,51 3, Patented Feb. 7, 1922;

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

ATTORNEY L. P. HUGHES.

MULTIFORM PRINTING PRESS.

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL 9. v 1 ,405,513. Patented Feb. 7,1922. 6 S EEEEEEEEEEE 6- ITED LEVI I. HUGHES, F HOBOKEN, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, To HUGH S MACHINE CORPORATION, or NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION 01 NEW YORK.

MULTIFORM PRINTING PRESS.

Application filed July 28,

zen of the United States of America, and a resident of Hoboken, county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Multiform Printing Presses, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in printing presses, and in particular comprises features whereby a pressis produced which is particularly adapted for numbering sheets of bank cheques as Well as for printing on such sheets the name of the drawer of the cheque or other similar matter.

Sheets of bank cheques commonly each comprise three cheque blanks, together with corresponding stubs. Each bank commonly maintains a considerable stock of such blanks, printed according to its particular design, but lacking serial numbers and the name of any particular customer. .Many of the bank customers commonly desire special cheque books, the cheque blanks of which are numbered serially and also bear the customers name. To meet an order for such a special cheque book, an appropriate number of cheque sheets, each already printed according to the particular design of that bank, must be passed through a machine which will number serially each cheque blank andits corresponding stub, and will also print the customers name on the blank; after which the sheets are bound into a book. This is commonly done by a printing house which, commonly, carries a largestock of cheque sheets for each of a large number of banks. .It is necessary that the serial numbering, and the printing of the customers name, for any particular order, shall be done in a machine which can be changed quickly to adapt it to different orders, for each order, commonly, is for a relatively small number of sheets. The matter is complicated further by the fact that cheque forms of different banks vary greatly, particularly as to the location of the serial number. In some cheque forms, the serial number must be placed in the upper left-hand corner; in others, in the lower left-hand corner; and in still others, 1n the upper righthand corner. Also, some bank customers desire that their names be printed across the left-hand end of the cheque; others desire Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. *7, 1922.

1919. Serial No. 313,717.

that it be printed inthe signature space; and still others, that it be prlnted in both said places. Furthermore, 111 many cases it is deslred that the serial numbering be done with ink of acolor different from that with wh ch the customers name is printed. These various complicating conditions have caused the use of separate presses .for printin the customers name on the cheques an for printmg the serial numbers, and have caused the use, for printing the customers name, of a cheque-printing press in which one cheque only, together with its corresponding stub, 1s printed at any one operation, the chequesheet being fed forward and positioned for the printlng, separately, of the several cheque blanks of the sheet, by handan operation requiring much Skill on the part of the operator,-who, nevertheless, occasionally Spoils a sheet. Furthermore, in the printing of the serial numbers the cheque sheet is positioned by hand, and is moved by hand from oneprintlng position to another, and it not infrequently happens that the sheet is badly positioned. I

My invention comprises means whereby the cheque sheets may be introduced without special care on the part of the operator, and thereafter will be fed forward automatically, from one printing position to the next, without special attention, or, in fact, any attention whatever on the part'of the operator; and whereby the printing of the customers name and the serial numbering of the cheques and their stubs, may be done in the same machine and at the same time, and may be done in any of the several required positions, as previously stated, and,,in most cases, in different colors if so desired. Other features of my invention will be described hereafter and set forth in the appended claims. The printing presshereinafter described as one embodiment of my invention is of course adapted for various other uses than the printing of cheque sheets; for example, is adapted for the printing of railway tickets and other tickets and forms of various kinds, and therefore my invention is not restricted to cheque presses only, but extends to'all classes of machinery to which it is adaptable.

The object of my invention is to improve the construction of cheque-printing presses and the like, to adapt the same for the automatic feeding-forward of the cheque sheets and the positioning thereof in the several desired printing positions; and, in general,

to produce a press which, while particularly a portion of the chase-carrying member being broken away; Figure 2 shows a side, elevation of the machine; Figures 2, 2 and 2 are similar side elevations of stop-fingeractuating cams employed in the machine; Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal section of the machine; Figures 3 3 and 3 are similar fragmentary detail side elevations of various stop-fingers employed in the ma' chine; Figure 4 is a fragmentary horizontal section of a portion of the machine; Figure 5 is a vertical transverse section'of the machine; Figure 6 is a detail side view of cam mechanism for reciprocating the printing head; Figure 7 is a detail top view of the lateral positioning device; Figures 8 and 9 are similar detail transverse sections showing the lateral positioning device in two different positions; Figure 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of the lateral positioning device; and Figure 11 is an isometrlc perspective of the upper portion of the machine, certain parts being broken away.

In the drawings, 1 designates a suitable. frame for the machine. As shown, the construction of this frame is such that it may be built most readily of timber; but it will be understood that the particular construction of the frame, and the particular material of which that frame iscomposed, is imma-' terial; and, in fact, a metal frame will commonly be used. 2 designates a. feeding table,

designed to support a pile of cheque sheets, from which pile the sheets will be fed, one by one, and usually by hand, into the feed ing mechanism of the machine; and 3 designates a delivery table upon which the printed sheets will be deposited by the machine.

t designates a main driving shaft, and 5 a driving-belt pulley thereon, which pulley may be considered as representing, diagrammatically, any desired source of power. 6, 6, designate a series of a er-feed tapes, pasm'ng over main rollers f f, and 8, 8, of which rollers 7 are driving rollers, driven from shaft 4 as hereinafter described. 9 designates the bed of the press, around which, and its supporting frame member 1, the tapes 6 are carried by guide-rollers 10. 11 designates a cross-head, adapted to carry a type-form or type-chase, and adapted to be reciprocated up and down by suitable cam mechanism, as .hereinafter described. This cross-head is pivoted on a transverse bar 12, so that it can be thrown up and back (as indicated 'in dotted lines in Figure 3) for the convenient change of the typeca-rried by it, and normally rests, at its ends, on ledges of side plates 13, themselves mounted on rods 14, which slide up and down in bearings in the frame of the machine, being cross-c'onnected by a reciprocating frame 15 driven by a cam 16 on shaft 17. This frame 15 has two follower rollers 18 and 19, of which 18 (the upper roller) is narrow, and engages only the outer por tion of the edge of the cam, while the other roller, 19, is broader, and engages the whole face of the cam, except when a drop 16 is opposite that roller 19, when that roller engages only the higher part of the cam. When this drop 16 is opposite roller 18, the latter engages the drop only, and therefore at this time the printing head 11 is practically stationary. It is at this time that the hereinafter-mentioned inking roller passes across the face of the type carried by the printing head. Beneath the lower end of frame 15 there is a counterweight lever 20, pressing up against frame 15, and so reducing the work to be done by cam 16 in lifting other reciprocating parts attached thereto.

Upon certain of the feed tapes 6 rest light rollers 21. As a sheet to be printed is pushed forward from table 2 its edge passes between rollers 21 and the tapes 6, and by said rollers 21 is held down on said tapes, and is caused to feed forward until arrested by a first set of spring-actuated stop fingers 22 mounted on the transverse bar 22 (see Figs. 3 and For the usual cheque-sheet, containing in all three cheque blanks, there are three sets of stop fingers for the three different printing positions,namely, a set 23 for the no first position, a set 23 for the second position, and a third set 24 for the third position.

The first set of stops or stop fingers 23 and the second set of stops 23 are for convenience of construction mounted on the same pivoted bar 23*, as best shown in Fig. 3 and the third set of steps 24 is carried by the pivoted bar 24; (see Fig. 3).

Fingers 22 arrest the cheque sheet in advance of the first printing position; the 3120 and 24 respectively, projecting-from rods shoulder 42, in front of which clamp mem- 22, 23 and 24, as shown particularly in Figure 2. These cams- 22 23 and'24 are all mounted on a longitudinal cam shift 25, driven from shaft 17 by a sprocket chain 26 and bevel gears 27 (Fig. 1), suitable sprocket wheels 28 and 29 and a shaft 30 being of course provided; and the cams 22", 23 and 24 have appropriate rises to operate the stop fingers as desired.

For properly positioning the cheque sheets laterally and holding them during the printing operations to insure that they shall be printed upon at precisely the desired position, a lateral positioning device is pro vided. In the particular machine illustrated in the drawings, this positioning and holding device comprises a clamp consisting of members 31 and32, of which 32 is pivoted on 31, (both of these members being longitudinal with respect to the direction of motion of the paper through the machine) member 31 being mounted to slide back and forth (laterally of the machine) through a small distance. on rods 33. This sliding motion is determined by a cam-disk 34, on shaft 25, which disk has three projecting cam-lugs, 36, 37 and 38, each adapted to engage and move to the left (of Flgures 8 and 9) a member 39 secured to clamp member 31, such motion being-against the pressure of springs 40. The cam-lugs 36,

37 and 38 act on a projecting lug 41 of member 39. Figure 9 shows the clamp in what may be termed its extreme or right-hand position, while Figure 8 shows the cam lug 37 in the position of having moved the slide 39 to the left, said cam-lug being about to disengage the lug 41 and so to permit the springs 40 to return the clamp to the right. Referring further to Fig. 9, where the registering device is shown at the end of its lateral movement toward the sheet, the jaws or clamps 31 and 32 are open but are about to close, as the pin 44 is ready to leave the tail or extension 43. As soon as the jaws have closed upon the sheet, they are drawn back by one of the cam-lugs 36, 37 and 38, carrying the sheet with them'into the exact printing position, substantially as indicated in Fig. 8. In this figure the position of the parts is approximately just after the printing has been done, for the pin 44 of the cam 34 is ready to open the jaws to allow the printed sheet'to be advanced to the next position. This opening of the jaws takes place just before the stop fingers rise, as

otherwise the running tapes would tend to twist the sheet. It is to be understood that during each printing operation the registering device, firmly holding the sheet, remains stationary, thus insuring the correct printing position of the sheet.

As shown particularly in Figure 10, clamp member 31 has, near one end, a stop her 32 moves. This member 32 has a rearwardly-projecting tail 43, adapted to be acted upon by pins 44 projecting from camdisk 34. These pins are so positioned that upon movement of the clamp 31-32 to the right (of-Figures 8 and- 9) the clamp is open, and therefore as the clamp so moves the edge ofthe cheque-sheet encounters the .the clamp members 31 and 32, such as a spring adapted to move the pivoted member 32 into closing position when the pin disengages the tail 43.

For inking the type, inking rollers 45 are provided on a shaft 46, extending transversely of the machine, and mounted in bearings in arms 48 pivoted at 48 to slides 49 which operate in ways 47, being reciprocated by a link 50,. a cam-follower arm 51, and a cam 52 on shaft 17. Ink-distributing rollers 53 and 54 are also provided, together with springs 55 which tend to holdrollers 45 against rollers 53. The rollers 45, 53 and 54 are adjustable laterally of the machine, and so are adjustable to different positions of the type-faces to be inked; also, because each set of rollers 45, and 53, and 54, com prises several rollers, different colors of ink may be used on different rollers.

The cheque sheets, after the printing of them is complete, are lifted from the tapes delivery table 3.

The feed-tape rollers 7 are driven from driving shaft 4 by sprocket gearing comprising a chain 61. The ink-distributing rollers 53 are driven from shaft 4 by a belt 62. Shaft 17 is driven from shaft 4 through gears 63 and 64 and a clutch 65 controlled by a pedal 66. The clutch is indicated diagrammatically only, as various types of clutches suitable for the purpose are well known. Shaft 67 for cam 59 is driven from shaft 17 by sprocket gearing including a chain 68.

The operation of the machine is as follows: The various moving parts of the machine being in motion, cheque sheets fed one by one by hand from table2 to the feeding tapes 6, are fed forward thereby until arrested by the first set of stops, 22. At an appropriate time, determined by cam 22*, these fingers 22 are lifted, and the cheque sheet then against said fingers is fed forward by tapes 6 until arrested by the front ends of stop fingers 23, the cheque sheet being then in the first printing position. The positioning clamp 31-32, then operates, positioning the sheet laterally, and the crosshead 11 descends, printing the first cheque blank of the sheet. As the cross-head 11 rises, the clamp 31- 32 releases the sheet, if it has not done so already, and the stop fingers 23 move so that the front ends of said fingers release the sheet and the rear ends of stop fingers 23 are in position to stop the sheet in the second printing position, and the tapes 6 feed the sheet forward until it is arrested by the second set of stop fingers 23. Again the lateral positioning device operates, and the printing head 11 again descends, printing the sheet in the second printing position. The printing head then rises, the fingers 23 are operated to release the sheet, and said sheet is again fed forward until arrested by the third set of stop fingers 24; after which the lateral position ing device again acts, the printing head descends and prints the sheet in the third position, and then rises, and the now-finished sheet is fed forward by tapes 6 over delivery fingers 56, which then deposit the sheet, face downward, on table 3. During these various operations the inking device has been operating at suitable times, and as previously described. As soon as the sheet has passed the first set of stop fingers, 22, another sheet may be introduced and will be fed forward until arrested by fingers 22, where it will be held until the appropriate time for its release. These fingers 22 tend to square the sheet, so that when fed forward it will be presented properly under the printing head; and the lateral positioning device obviates the necessity-of particular care in introducing the sheet in precisely the proper lateral position. Very little skill in the feeding of the machine is required, therefore.

As previously stated, the registering device remains stationary during the period in which the printing takes place for each position of the sheet. This interval is, of course, very short, because the printing only takes a moment or two. After the printing has been done on the sheet in its second position, the fingers 23 and 23', which for convenience are shown mounted on the same shaft 23*, assume a middle or neutral position, as indicated in full lines in Fig. 3. This permits the sheet to pass beneath the stops 23 and '23 into the third printing position against the stops 24. The three positions of the stops 23 and 23', as indicated in by those skilled in the art. Further descrip-' tion on this point is believed to be unneces sary.

One or more type carriers, or type chases, as they are usually called, are mounted on the transverse printing bar 11 in such manner as to be adjustable laterally thereon. In the drawings, T have shown two printing chases mounted on the bar 11; a chase at the right end of the bar (see Fig. 11) and a chase 70' at the left end of the bar (see Fig. 5). Although the type chases 70 and 70' are not shown in the same figure, owing to the fact that in Figs. 5 and 11 the printing bar 11 is broken away for clearness, their disposition on the bar 11 will be well understood. Of course, any number of type chases may be used, depending upon the printing to be done on the sheets. For instance, the chase 70 may be usedfor printing a customers name at the left end of the check and the chase 70 may carry an ordinary numbering machine for numbering the stubs of the check sheets. Usually there will be a third chase also carrying a numbering machine for numbering the checks in correspondence with the numbering of the swung upward about its hinge 12 into position to give access to the type. The ready adj ustability of the type chases on the transverse printing bar 11 is an important feature of my invention. As is well known, there are many different sizes and styles of bank. checks and the adjustment of the type chases for one size or style of check would not do for a check of a different size or style. It is an easy matter to so adjust the type chases on the printing bar 11 as to bring them into the correct printing position for each size and style of check. In this way the requirements of successive orders are quickly met and with a minimum of ex= pense.

Although I have herein shown and described a specific machine, I would have it clearly understood that T have done so by way of illustration and not by way of restriction or limitation. As far as Tam aware, I am the first to invent a practical, successful machine for automatically printa o mg upon a sheet a series of successive 1mpressions from the same type, the sheet being held in adjusted position for each printing operation. Doubtless, the principles of my invention may be carried out mechanically in other ways than that herein set forth without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is 1. A multiform sheet printer comprising printing elements adapted to receive a sheet and to print thereon in successive positions, means to advance the sheet from one printing position to another, a series of stop fingers arranged to engage the front edge of the advancing sheet and located in successively advanced positions corresponding to various printing positions of the sheet, means for operating said stop fingers successively to arrest the sheet in successive positions, and mechanism for automatically adjusting the sheet into each of its successive printing positions and releasing the sheet after each printing operation.

2. A multiform sheet printer comprising printing" elements adapted to receive a sheet to be printed and to print in successive positions thereon, means for advancing the sheet into successive printing positions, and mechanism adapted to grip the sheet just prior to each printing operation and adjust it into correct printing position, said mechanism being adapted to hold the sheet in each of its printing positions during the printing operation and automatically release the sheet after each printing operation.

3. A multiform sheet printer comprising printing elements adapted to receive a sheet to be printed and to print in successive positions thereon, means to advance the sheet from One printing position to another, stop means arranged to arrest advance of the sheet in successive positions, automatic positioning means adapted to grip the side edge of the sheet and adjust the sheet laterally into a predetermined printing position, and means for operating said positioning means in synchronismwith said printing elements.

4. A multiform sheet printer comprising printing elements adapted to receive .a sheet to be printed and to print in successive positions thereon and to permit advance of the sheet from one printing position to another, stops means arranged toarrest advance of the sheet in successive positions, and lateral positioning means'for the sheet comprising a laterally-reciprocating clamp.

- 5. Amultiform sheet rinter comprising printing elements adapted to receive a sheet to be printed and to print in successive positions thereon and to permit advance of the sheet from one printing position to another, stop means arranged to arrest advanceof the sheet in successive positions, and lateral positioning means for the sheet comprising clamping members one of which is mounted to reciprocate laterally, and another of which I at timed intervals. 1

6. A multiform sheet printer comprising printing elements adapted to receive a sheet to be printed and to print in successive positions thereon and to permit advance of the sheet from one printing position to another, stop means arranged to arrest advance of the sheet in successive positions, lateral positioning means for the sheet, and cam means arranged to operate said stop means and said lateral positioning means in synchronism.

7 .-A multiform sheet printer comprising printing elements adapted to receive a sheet to be printed and to print thereon,stop means for the sheet, a lateral positioning means for the sheet comprising a laterallyreciprocating clamp adapted to open and close, and cam means adapted to reciprocate said clamp and to open same and perto be printed and to print in successive positions thereon, and to permit advance of the sheet from one printing position to another, a succession of stop fingers arranged to engage the front edge'of the sheet .andlocated in successively-advanced positions corresponding to various printing positions of the s eet, a longitudinal cam shaft, cams thereon arranged to operate said stop fin ers successively, means for loperating s "d cam shaft in synchronism with said printing elements, laterally-reciprocating lateral positioning means for the sheet, and means on said cam shaft for reciprocating said lateral positioning means.

9. A multiform sheet printer comprising printing elements adapted to receive a sheet to be printed and to print in successive positions thereon, and topermit advance of the sheet from one printing position to another, a succession of stop fingers arranged to engage the front ed e of the sheet .andlocated in successively-a vanced positions corresponding to various printing positions of the sheet, a longitudinal cam shaft, cams thereon arranged to operate said stop fingers successively, means for operating sa d qam. shaft in synchronism with said printing elements, laterally-reciprocating lateral positioning means for the sheet, and a cam on said cam shaft .arranged to reciprocate laterally said lateral positioning means.

10. A multiform sheet printing elements adapte to receive a sheet to be printed and to print in successive posiprinter comprising tions thereon, and to permit advance of the sheet from one printing position to another, a succession of stop fingers .arranged to engage the front edge of the sheet and located in successively-advanced positions corresponding to various printing ipositions of the sheet, .a longitudinal cam sha t, cams thereon arranged to operate said stop fingers successively,\means for operating said cam shaft in synchronism with said printing elements, laterally-reciprocating lateral positioning means for the sheet comprising a clamp, and means on said cam shaft for opening and closing said clamp.

11. A multiform sheet printer comprising printing elements adapted to receive a sheet to be printed and to print in successive positions thereon, and to permit advance of the sheet from one printing position to another, a succession of stop fingers arranged to engage the front edge of the sheet and located in successively-advanced positions corresponding to various printing positions of thesheet, a longitudinal cam shaft, cams thereon arranged to operate said stop fingers successively, means for operating said cam shaft in synchronism with said printing elements,

laterally-reciprocating lateral positioning means for the sheet comprising a clamp, and a cam on said cam shaft for opening and closing said clamp.

12. A multifoiim sheet printer comprising printing elements adapted to receive a sheet to be printed and to print in successive positions thereon, and to permit advance of the sheet from one printing position to another, a succession of stop fingers arranged to engage the front edge of the sheet and located in successively-advanced positions corresponding to various printing positions of the sheet, a longitudinal cam shaft, cams thereon arranged to operate said stop fingers successively, and means for operating said cam shaft in synchronism with said printing elements, latcrally-reciprocating lateral positioning means-for the sheet comprising a clamp having an operating member, and-a cam disk on said cam shaft comprising means for reciprocating said clamp and means for operating said operating member of the clamp.

13. A multiform sheet printer comprising printing elements adapted to receive a sheet to be printed and to print in successive positions thereon and to permit advance of the sheet from one printing position to another, stop means arranged to arrest advance of the sheet in successive positions, and lateral positioning means for the sheet arranged to position the sheet laterally for each such advance thereof.

14. A multifo-rm sheet printer comprising printing elements adapted to receive a sheet to be printed and to print in successive positions thereon and to permit advance of the sheet from one printing position to another,

stop means arranged to arrest advance of the sheet in successive positions, and laterally-reciprocating lateral positioning means for the sheet arranged to position the sheet laterally for each such advance thereof.

' 15. A multifo-rm sheet printer comprising means arranged to feed forward a sheet to be printed and to arrest advance of the sheet in successive positions and to print thereon in successive positions to which the sheet is v upon the sheet in each printing position.

17. In a multiform sheet printer, a slidable device having means to grip and move a sheet of paper into correct printing position, means for intermittently operating said device to hold the sheet in each of successive printing positions, and printing elements operated in synchronism with said device to print upon the sheet when said device is at rest.

18. In a printing press, a; bed over which the sheets are fed into printing position, a pair of vertically reciprocable supports arranged at opposite sides of the bed, a printing bar mounted between said supports, the ends of said bar resting on said supports, pivot means for connecting the ends of said bar to said supports, whereby said bar may be turned over lengthwise about said pivot means, and means for releasably fastening said bar in normal position'on said sup-ports.

.19. In a printing press, a bed over which the sheets are fed into printing position, a

20. In a printing press, a bed over which the sheets are fed forwardly into printing position, a bar mounted over said bed and adapted to move toward and away from the bed, a plurality of type-chases sli'dably mounted on said bar and independently adjustable thereon laterally to bring the type of each chase into the desired printing position, said type-chase having each a portion extending transversely over the top of said bar, a clamping member arranged to engage the top of said bar for clamping the type-chase in adjusted position, and means for operating said bar to print simultaneously from sa1d type-chases.

21. In a multiform sheet rinter, a reciprocable printing bar adapted to carry a plurality of type-chases for making a series of successive impressions upon a sheet, mechanism for automatically effecting a relative displacement between the sheet and the printin bar, said mechanism including means or gripping the sheet and carrying the same into predetermined position for each printing operation, stops against which the sheets are fed one by one and which engage the forward edge of the sheet, and means for moving said stops into releasing position after said gripping means has seized the sheet. I

22. In a printing press having a bed over which the sheets are fed forwardly into printing position and having printing elements adapted to print on the sheets, a sheet-registering device mounted at one side of the bed and comprising clamping members adapted to receive and-grip a sheet, means for advancing said members across the bed to grip the edge of the sheet and then Withdrawing the closed members to pull the sheet laterally into the required printing position, and means for holding said device and the gripped sheet against movement during the printing operation,

said members automatically releasing the sheet after the printing operation.

23. In a printing press havinga bed over which the sheets are fed forwardly into printing position and having printing elements adapted to print on the sheets, a sheet registering device mounted at one side of the bed and comprising clamping members adapted to receive and grip a sheet,means for advancing said members across the bed to grip the edge of the sheet and then withdrawing the closed members to pull the sheet laterally into the required printing position, a stop shoulder provided on one of said members to be engaged by the edge of the sheet and thereby insure the predetermined position of the sheet, and means for holdmg said device andthe gripped sheetagainst movement during the printing operation, said members automatically releasing the sheet after the printing operation.

24L In a printing press having a bed over which the sheets are fed forwardly into printing position and having printing elements adapted to print on the sheets, a sheet registering device mounted at one side of the .bed, and comprising a pair ofbars arranged lengthwise of the'bed, the upper bar being pivoted on the lower bar and both bars being adapted to reciprocate laterally ofthe bed, said lower bar having a longitudinal recess to; receiving the edge of the sheet, the upper or pivoted bar being adapted to close on the lower bar and thus clamp or grip the sheet, an extension on the lower bar, means engaging said extension to advance said bars laterally over the bed to grip the sheet, a tail on the'upper or pivoted bar, means engaging said tail to ments adapted to print on the sheets, means v for grippiing the advancing sheet and moving it to a predetermined position, said gripping means holding the sheet. in such position during the printing operation and automatically releaslng the printed sheet for continued advance over the bed.

26. A multiform sheet printer comprising printing elements adapted to receive a sheet to be printed and to print in successive positions thereon, means to advance the sheet from one printing position to another, stop means arranged to arrest advance of the sheet in successive positions, and a pair of clamping members automatically operated to grip and hold the sheet in each of its successive printing positions, said members automatically releasing the sheet after each printing operation.

27. In a multiform sheet printer, means for arresting an advancing sheet in successive printing positions, means adapted to grip the sheet and hold it in each printing position, and printing mechanism so timed as to print upon the sheets in each printing position.

28. In a multiform sheet printer, a slidable device having jaws to grip the edge of a sheet, cam-controlled means to open and close saidjaws, cam-controlled connections for periodically actuating said device to hold the sheet in successive printing positions, and printing mechanism for prlntlng upon the sheet when the same is held stationary by said device in each successive position.

29. In a multiform sheet printer, a set of stops to arrest the sheets 1n one printing position, a second set of stops to arrest the sheets in anotherprinting position, means for operatively connecting said two sets of stops, and a single oamfor simultaneously operating both sets of stops in reverse directions.

30. In a multiform sheet printer, a set of stops to arrest the sheets 1n one printing position, a second set of stops to arrest the sheets in another printing position, and means for actuating each set of stops into three different positions, for the purposes set forth.

' '31. In a multiform sheet printer having a bed over which the sheets'are fed into' printing position, a plurality oftransverse shafts mounted over the printing bed and properly spaced apart, downwardly extending stops carried by each shaft, means for rocking said shafts at successive predetermined intervals to move said stops downwardly into arresting position and upwardly into releasing position, and printing mechanism operated to print on the sheets in each arrested position.

32. In a multiform sheet printer, a substantially rectangular framework provided at the top with a bed over which the sheets are fed into printing position, a plurality of transverse shafts mounted between the sides of said framework at the top thereof, stops carried by said shafts to arrest the advancing sheets in successive printing positions and automatically release the sheets after each printing operation, a lateral arm at one end of each transverse shaft, a camshaft mounted on top of said framework longitudinally thereof, cams on said camshaft for engaging said lateral arms and thereby actuate the stops on said transverse shafts at predetermined intervals, and printing mechanism operated to print upon the sheets in each arrested position.

33. In a multiform printing press, sheet feeding and registering mechanism comprising an endless carrier, a series of successively arranged stops for end-registerand a gripping device for clamping thev edge of the sheet and holding it in adjusted position during each printing operation.

35. In a multiform sheet printer, mechanism for making a series of successive impressions from the same type upon each of the sheets as they are fed oneby one into the machine, said mechanism including means for automatically effecting a relative displacement between the sheet and the type for each printing operation, stop means against which the sheets are fed at their forward edges prior to such relative displacement, and means whereby the sheets are held registered during the successive printing operations.

ln testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LEVll P. HUGHES.

Witnesses H. M. MARBLE, D. E. DEUEL. 

